When Abdel-El-Famy, a Palestinian zealot and would-be terrorist, is sent with two others to assassinate a leading Israeli nuclear scientist giving a lecture in London, he knows that there is little prospect of a safe return. Yet he feels no fear. Famy is prepared to sacrifice himself for his cause, for if he suceeds he knows that the reverberations will be felt throughout the Western World. But when his hit squad is intercepted by Israeli Intelligence in France and his accomplices are shot, Famy remains determined that this setback will only be temporary in spite of his lack of experience. Upon arrival in Britain, his only contact is Ciaran McCoy, a hardened IRA mercenary. McCoy can provide him with firearms and local knowledge, but the difference in their aims and motivations mean that their alliance will always be uneasy. At the same time, British Intelligence has assigned a hard-drinking maverick to protect the scientist, But will this be enough to prevent the inevitable bloodshed?